Christmas
in Washington, DC
Christmas, the most celebrated of all the holidays and a special time for family
and friends.
To add a Washington, DC event or any information, or to simply request
information on a particular event, please contact the
Webmaster.
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November 13 - December 30
A Broadway Christmas Carol
Description: An interesting take on the much-loved
classic. The Round House takes you through the Christmases past,
present and future and, in addition, you will hear your favorite
Broadway melodies. At two-for-one that will keep you laughing
through the season.
Location: Round House Theatre, 8641 Colesville Rd.,
Silver Spring, MD
Time: Varies by performance
Cost: $25 - $35
November 22, 2004–January 15, 2005
Come & Behold Him: Fifteenth Annual Crèche Exhibit
Description: For fifteen years the Cathedral has
been exhibiting nativity scenes from its collection of crèches from
around the world. These scenes, which depict the birth of Jesus, are
created from materials as varied as seeds, soda cans, and porcelain,
from cultures as diverse as those of Singapore, Mexico, and Poland.
These colorful sets demonstrate the many ways the Christmas story is
told the world over. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to
share Christmas.
Location:
Washington National Cathedral
Time: Mon-Sat, 10am - 4pm; Sun 1pm - 4 pm
Cost: FREE
Contact: tours@cathedral.org
November 23 - January 2
A Ghost Story of Christmas
Description: The Ford Theater presents a timely
adaptation of the classic A Christmas Carol with a new twist. Come
an discover how it plays out.
Location:
Ford
Theater, 511 10th St. NW, Washington, DC
Time: Varies by performance
Cost: $15 - $48
November 24 - January 11
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Description: Nativity scenes from around the world will be
presented at the Washington National Cathedral to bring tiding of comfort and
joy to all who participate in this extraordinary exhibit.
Location:
National
Cathedral
Time: Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm, Sun 1pm - 4pm
Cost: N/A
November 30 - December 29
Washington, DC Tree Lighting Ceremony
Description: Norwegian
princess Märtha Louise will be the one who will light the 30-food Christmas tree
at Union Station. A Christmas show, featuring Kurt Nelson, will be part of
the presentation. Come and join the celebration.
Location:
Union Station
Time: Varies
Cost: FREE
November 30 – January 9
Christmas on S Street
Description: A 12-foot tree
with holiday adornments is the focal point of this celebration. Come and
visit this historic house all clothed in its holiday finest.
Location:
Woodrow
Wilson House
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 1
Festival of Trees
Description: A myriad of
trees bejeweled in different decor will be staged for your perusal. Find
one you like? Just bid on it and take it home. All proceeds will go
to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Hospital.
Location: Georgetown Visitor's Center, 1057 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Washington, DC
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 1
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Description:
The Fairmont Hotel is initiating its first annual tree lighting ceremony.
It will take place in the Crystal Garden where a numberless lights and
decorations will revel every one's spirit. Hot chocolate and
home-made cookies will be served.
Location: The Fairmont Washington, DC, 2401 M St., NW, Washington,
DC
Time: 5 pm
Cost: Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots
Program
December 1 - January 2
The Shops at Georgetown Park
Description: The Shops at
Georgetown Park are sprucing up for the holiday season in a Victorian kind of
way. A model train will also be on display to add to the delight of all.
Location:
The Shops at
Georgetown Park
Time: Mon - Sat 10am - 9pm, Sun 12pm - 6pm
Cost: FREE
December 1 - January 6
Holidays at Mount Vernon
Description: Discover how
Martha and George used to decorate their home for the holidays and what they did
every day throughout the season as well as Christmas and New Year's Day.
Let Martha be the one to tell you the stories herself. Come and join us
while we take a look at the First Family of these United States.
Location:
Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Time: 9 am-4 pm
Cost: Adults $15, Children $8
December 2-4
34th Annual Campagna Center's Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend
Description: The highlight
of this weekend will be the parade where you will be able to see Scottish clans
dressed in their uniforms playing bagpipes and much more. There will be
also an occasion to start your Christmas shopping in grand style.
Location: Market: 418 S. Washington St., Parade: Old Town
Alexandria
Time: Market: Thu 12pm - 4pm, Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 5pm
Parade: 10:30am
Cost: Varies
December 2, 16
Candlelight Tours: Parties and Politics
Description: This will be
an after-hours tour of the Decatur House Museum bestowing a very special
rendition geared to the holiday season.
Location: Decatur House Museum, 1610 H St., NW, Washington, DC
Time: Tours depart at 5:15 pm, 6:15 pm and 7:15 pm.
Cost: $5
December 2
An Angel Like Me
Description: Mary Hoffman
will share the "An Angel Like Me" story. Afterwards, children will guided
how to make an angel just like them.
Location:
Anacostia Museum
Time: 10:30am
Cost: FREE
December 3 - 4
Plantation Christmas & Family Holiday Buffet
Description: A candle-lit
Plantation will be hosting a holiday buffet for families. But that's not
all, open-hearth cooking demonstrations and carriage rides will be an
intrinsical part of the fun.
Location: Gunston Hall Plantation, 10709 Gunston Rd., Lorton, VA.
Time: 7pm - 10pm
.Cost: Varies
December 3 and 5
Handel's Messiah
Location:
Washington
National Cathedral
Time: 12/3 7:30pm, 12/5 4pm
Cost: FREE
December 4
5th Annual Holiday Parade of Boats
Description: What a
majestic site! See 50 brightly lit boats lighting up Alexandria's harbor
and then sailing smoothly along the Potomac River. It's a site not to be
missed.
Location: Alexandria Marina at the foot of Cameron St., behind the
Torpedo
Factory.
Time: Festivities begin at 3; boat parade is 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Cost: Free
December 4
Holiday Card Workshop
Description: People think
up so many ways to celebrate the holidays. Mary Arcuri does it by teaching
others how to create hand-crafted cards. And the best part is that she
provides all the beautiful material so good will may be spread throughout the
land to family and friends.
Location:
National Postal Museum
Time: 12pm and 2pm
Cost: FREE
December 4
Home Sweet Home: Gingerbread House Workshop
Description: Get into the
holiday spirit and join in on a day of tasty family fun. While listening to
festive music of the season, families can create their own edible gingerbread
house (11” x 10” x 8”), decorated with candy trim, icing details, and cookie
roofs.
Location:
The National Building Museum
Time: 2pm
Cost: $50
December 4 - 5
Annual Holiday Concerts
Description: The Maryland
Chorus gives a steering performance by offering their special rendition of the
seasonal favorites.
Location: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of
Maryland-College Park
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 5, 12 and 19
Holiday Concert
Description: A Leesburg
Corner Premium Outlets have the honor of presenting the award-winning
Loudoun Valley High school wind instrument band ensemble to make your holidays
happy and nice.
Location: Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, 241 Fort Evans Road.
Leesburg, VA
Time: Varies
Cost: FREE
December 5
Taste of Norway
Description: Discover the
wonderful taste of traditional Norwegian holiday foods. This event will
take place at Union Station's Main Hall as well as the Center Cafe.
Location: Union Station
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 5
Holiday Sing-A-Long
Description: Be part of
this delightful sing-along with the United
States Marine Band and other local vocal groups. The holiday theme will be
reflected in the enchanting seasonal classics such as Silent Night and Jingle
Bells.
Location:
Wolf Trap
National Park for the Performing Arts
Time: 4pm - 5:30 pm
Cost: Varies
December 5
Angel Tour
Description: These
celestial being are represented everywhere in the Cathedral. The tour aims to
show the visitors how they are depicted and for what purpose.
Location:
National
Cathedral
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 8
Holiday Open House
Description: The Daughters
of the American Revolution are opening the doors of the Museum to host this
lovely open house. The festivities will include the viewing of the
national Christmas Tree, caroling and interesting libations.
Location: Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, 17th & D
Sts. NW, Washington, DC
Time: 5:30pm - 8 pm
Cost: Varies
December 9
Holiday Wreath Making
Description: Join us in
this great annual tradition at Hillwood! Learn various techniques from Hillwood
horticulturalist Bill Johnson as you create a spectacular wreath of fresh
greens.
Location:
Hillwood Museum & Gardens
Time: 10am
Cost: $35
December 9
Torpedo Factory Holiday Open House
Description: An after-hours
open house with music and refreshments galore. An evening design to say
thanks for the many friends and supporters.
Location:
Torpedo
Factory
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Cost: Free
December 9 - 24
The Washington Ballet's The Nutcracker
Description: A clever twist
to the holiday classic is given by artistic director Septime Weber. He
transplants the characters to Washington, DC.
Location: Warner Theatre, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 10 - 12
Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours
Description: The tour
includes the Carlyle House, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Lee-Fendall House,
Friendship Firehouse and the Presbyterian Meeting House. Make this a
yearly holiday tradition.
Location:
Gadsby's Tavern
Museum
Time: 7pm - 9:30pm
Cost: Adults $20, Seniors (65 and older) $15, Children (6 to 17) $5
December 11-13
The Joy of Christmas
Description: The Washington
National Cathedral presents a new carol by Stephen Paulus named "We Sing Thy
Birth." In addition, there will be a presentation by the Washington
Symphonic Brass and the Cathedral's Choir.
Location:
Washington National
Cathedral
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 11
Star of Wonder
Description: The Advent
season is upon us and the Cathedral presents a path for us to travel to recreate
that miraculous season before our Savior's birth.
Location:
Washington National
Cathedral
Time: 10am and 12pm
Cost: $6
Note: Reservations 202-537-2934
December 11
"A Nation's Capital Christmas" Walking Tour
Description: In our
nation's capital, Christmas is celebrated with much fanfare. Many events
and merriment takes place during the season . This tour will give
you a glimpse of all the activities.
Location: Meet the guide outside the McPherson Square
Time: 2 pm, rain or shine
Cost: Adults $15, Children (12 and under) $10, includes admission
to the DAR Museum
December 11-12
Fourth Annual Winter Festival
Description: Russia's
Father Frost will be on hand to tell traditional stories and for a photo
opportunity. Discover how Russian children celebrate the holidays.
Location:
Hillwood Museum &
Gardens
Time: Sat 10am - 8pm Sun 12pm - 6pm
Cost: Adults $18, Children $5
Note: Children must be 6 to enter the mansion.
December 16
Holiday Concert
Description: This concert
features Iona who performs traditional Celtic music.
Location: Navy Museum, 805 Kidder Breese St., SE, Washington Navy
Yard, DC
Time: 7 pm and parking is free.
Cost: Varies
Note: RSVP required 202-433-6897. All visitors must enter though the Washington Navy Yard at 6th & M St. SE.
December 17, 19 - 21
Ellington Nutcracker
Description: This version
of the holiday classic has a jazzy side to it. The performance is a
tribute to the immigrant culture in this country.
Location: Prince George's Community College, 301 Largo Rd. Largo, MD
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 18 - 22
The Washington Chorus: Music for Christmas
Description: The splendor
of the Kennedy Center is the perfect venue for this Christmas celebration.
The procession is composed of over 2500 voices who sing Christmas carols.
And that is only the beginning. The right place to be with all your loved
ones.
Location:
John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 19
National Philharmonic Singers-Holiday Choral Concert
Description: D Traditional
English carols are the order of the day.
Location: Strathmore Hall Arts Center, 10701 Rockville Pk.,
Rockville, MD
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
December 21, 22, 27, and 28
Family Fun with Crèches
Description: Nativity
scenes are a part of many families’ holiday traditions. Come explore the
Cathedral’s annual crèche exhibit with your family, and participate in a fun
family project.
Location:
Washington
National Cathedral
Time: 12pm - 2 pm
Cost: FREE
Contact: (202) 537-2934, tours@cathedral.org
Thru December 26
Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka
Description: Imagine
yourself touring this fabulous chocolate factory. This presentation of the
beloved children's novel will take you in an imaginary journey through one.
Make sure you have one of those Golden Tickets!
Location: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
Thru December 31
Holiday Model Train
Description: A trip through
the fjords of Norway is this year's presentation of the model trains at Union
Station.
Location:
Union Station
Time: Always open
Cost: FREE
Thru December 31
Tudor's Place Georgetown Nutcracker Christmas
Description: Tudor's Place
is exhibiting 19th century holiday decorations that are a take off from The
Nutcracker. See them during regular house hours.
Location: Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW, Washington, DC
Time: Varies
Cost: Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children $3
Thru January 2
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
Description: We all are
very familiar with this Dickens' holiday classic. But this unusual version
focuses on the ghosts that haunt Mr. Scrooge. An interesting variation
worth seeing.
Location:
Ford's Theatre
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
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Dates and events subject to change without notice.
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